System and method for patient management using multi-dimensional analysis and computer vision

Abstract

The disclosed embodiments include a system and method for patient management using multi-dimensional analysis and computer vision. The system includes a base unit having a microprocessor connected to a camera and a beacon detector. The beacon detector scans for advertising beacons with a packet and publishes a packet to the microprocessor. The camera captures an image in a pixel array and publishes image data to the microprocessor. The microprocessor uses at least a Beacon ID from the packet to determine if an object is in a room, and Camera Object Coordinates from the image data to determine the coordinates of the object in the room.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for use at a location to monitor at least one subject at the location, each subject of the at least one subject having a radio transmitter that transmits a beacon signal, the system comprising:
 a base unit including a processor that is in communication with a camera and with a receiver, the receiver comprising received signal measurement electronics and at least one memory to store a threshold value; and   the base unit further comprising storage with processor-executable instructions that the processor can execute to:
 perform signal measurement on the beacon signal received by the receiver to indicate conditions including that the subject approached the location and that the subject moved away from the location, the signal measurement including at least a comparison of received signal to the threshold value; 
 collect camera information using the camera at least when the subject is indicated to have approached the location; and 
 process the camera information to assist in tracking the subject at the location including analyzing feature data of the subject using at least some of the cam era information. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor-executable instructions further include instructions the processor can execute to decode an identification code in the beacon signal that is associated with the subject. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor-executable instructions further include instructions the processor can execute to compare beacon signal information with at least some of the camera information to verify the identity of the subject. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor-executable instructions further include instructions the processor can execute to identify position and movement of the subject at or about the location using at least the camera information. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the processor-executable instructions further include instructions the processor can execute to create and monitor a skeletal profile of the subject. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the base unit includes Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) electronics. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the received signal measurement electronics are configured to generate a received signal strength indicator (RSSI). 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the base unit further comprises a display configured to be in communication with the processor. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the base unit further comprises a sound level detector configured to communicate with the processor. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the base unit further comprises an ambient light sensor configured to communicate with the processor. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the base unit further comprises a temperature sensor configured to communicate with the processor. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the base unit further comprises a call bell detector configured to communicate with the processor. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the base unit further comprises a pull cord detector configured to communicate with the processor. 
     
     
         14 . A method for use at a location to monitor at least one subject at the location, each subject of the at least one subject having a radio transmitter that transmits a beacon signal, the method comprising:
 using a processor and a receiver of a base unit at the location to perform signal measurement on the beacon signal received by the receiver to indicate conditions including that the subject approached the location and that the subject moved away from the location using at least a comparison of the signal measurement to a threshold value;   collect camera information using a camera of the base unit at least when the subject is indicated to have approached the location; and   process the camera information to assist in tracking the subject at the location including analyzing feature data of the subject using at least some of the camera information.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising classifying, using the processor, an activity of the subject using an output of the receiver and the camera information. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising displaying results of the classifying on a display in communication with the base unit. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising automatically generating a periodic skeletal profile of the subject using the camera information. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 monitoring the periodic skeletal profile of the subject over time to assess a risk of developing a pressure ulcer by the subject.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 monitoring the periodic skeletal profile of the subject to detect a risk of a fall of the subject.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising calculating a position of the subject in the location using the camera information, a predetermined set of parameters associated with the subject, and a predetermined set of parameters associated with the location. 
     
     
         21 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions for use by a base unit at a location to identify at least one subject at the location, the at least one subject having a radio transmitter that transmits a beacon signal, and the base unit having a processor in communication with a camera and a receiver, the instructions when executed by the processor include code that causes the processor to:
 perform signal measurements on the beacon signal received by the receiver;   compare the signal measurements to a stored threshold value to indicate conditions including that the subject approached the location and that the subject moved away from the location;   collect camera information using the camera at least when the subject is indicated to have approached the location; and   process the camera information to assist in tracking the subject at the location including analyzing feature data of the subject using at least some of the camera information.   
     
     
         22 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 21 , further comprising instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to:
 generate a periodic skeletal profile of the subject using an output of the receiver and the camera information.   
     
     
         23 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 22 , further comprising instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to:
 monitor the periodic skeletal profile of the subject to assess a risk of developing a pressure ulcer by the subject.   
     
     
         24 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 22 , further comprising instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to:
 monitor the periodic skeletal profile of the subject to assess a risk of a fall of the subject.   
     
     
         25 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 21 , further comprising instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to:
 provide an automatic notification based on the indication using a display in communication with the processor.   
     
     
         26 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 21 , further comprising instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to:
 use a machine learning algorithm to process the camera information to assist in tracking the subject at the location including analyzing feature data of the subject using at least some of the camera information.